Recent meetings
| Date | Commissioner / Cabinet | Topic | File |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Nov 2025 | Andrea Vettori Head of Unit | Guidance document on the species protection requirements of the Birds Directive | — |
| 19 Nov 2025 | Andrea Vettori Head of Unit | Guidance document on the species protection requirements of the Birds Directive | SRC |
| 02 Oct 2020 | Marius Vascega Cabinet member | To present the community of recreational fishery, their key priorities in the field of fisheries, biodiversity and environmental protection. To discuss the Commission’s proposal amending the fisheries control regulation. | SRC |
| 02 Oct 2020 | Marius Vascega Cabinet member | To present the community of recreational fishery, their key priorities in the field of fisheries, biodiversity and environmental protection. To discuss the Commission’s proposal amending the fisheries control regulation. | — |
| 16 Sept 2020 | Charlina Vitcheva Director-General | Workings of the Advisory Councils | — |
| 16 Sept 2020 | Charlina Vitcheva Director-General | Workings of the Advisory Councils | SRC |
| 29 Jun 2016 | Karmenu Vella Commissioner | Common fisheries policy | — |
| 29 Jun 2016 | Karmenu Vella Commissioner | Common fisheries policy | SRC |
Mission & Goals
"To safeguard the fish stocks and fisheries of Europe, and to protect the interests of all those who fish with rod and line for recreational purposes." ● The overall goal of EAA is to work, on European level and in the framework of international projects, for the interests of recreational angling, by active involvement in all areas which are vital for the present status and the future development of fish stocks, aquatic environment and angling activities.
EU Legislative Interests
● The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) - the pending evaluation. Recreational fishing should be fully and fairly included the CFP. ● The fisheries Control Regulation; the implementation of a recreational fishing app in January 2026 ● Technical Measures Regulation; various fisheries multi-annual plans and the annual TACs & Quotas; in particular when recreational angling provisions are included (eels, sea bass, salmon, cod, tuna..); ● Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD); the need for more big fish - to achieve a healthy age structure in the fish populations as required by the directive. ● Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and Marine Protected Areas; advocate in favour of well-managed recreational angling, which can be allowed in most MPAs and bring economic activity to these areas. ● The Water Framework Directive (WFD); to avoid an opening of the directive due to the "OMNIBUS" ● The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030; support the implementation ● The Nature Restoration Regulation; support the implementation ● The Water Ressilience Strategy; ● EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation; support the EU legislation and implementation. ● Birds- and Habitats Directives / Natura 2000; support the implementation of the directives to protect both the environment, species and recreational fishing. ● The Renewable Energy Directive; highlight hydropower's negative impact on the aquatic environment ● The socio-economic value of recreational fishing; collect data and communicate figures, which are of importance for a number of the above mentioned legislative acts and policies as well as for: ● The BLUE GROWTH strategy, and ● Tourism (fishing tourism)
Communication Activities
● EAA campaigns for protection and conservation of freshwaters alone and together with 6 other high-profile organisations under the name "Living Rivers Europe": the European Environmental Bureau, the European Rivers Network, The Nature Conservancy, Sufrider Foundation Europe, Wetlands International and WWF representing a movement of over 40 million European citizens. www.eaa-europe.eu/eaa-partners/5373-2/ www.wwf.eu/what_we_do/water/living_rivers_europe ● We support the secretariat to the "Forum on Recreational Fisheries and Aquatic Environment": www.eaa-europe.org/european-parliament-forum
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
www.eaa-europe.eu/eaa-partners/5373-2/ ● Coalition "Living Rivers Europe" ● Works closely with the European Fishing Tackle & Trade Association (EFTTA)
Organisation Members
EAA members: www.eaa-europe.eu/eaa-members/